Use the Information for the Question(s)below

question 82

Multiple Choice

Use the information for the question(s) below.
Suppose that in the coming year,you expect Exxon-Mobil stick to have a volatility of 42% and a beta of 0.9,and Merck's stock to have a volatility of 24% and a beta of 1.1.The risk free interest rate is 4% and the market's expected return is 12%.
-Which stock has the highest systematic risk?

• A)Merck since it has a higher Beta
• B)Exxon-Mobil since it has a lower beta
• C)Exxon-Mobil since it has a higher volatility
• D)Merck since it has a lower volatility

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Definitions:

Pro Forma Earnings

Pro forma earnings refer to a company's earnings that exclude certain costs or expenses, typically non-recurring items, to provide a clearer picture of its financial performance.

Required Rate of Return

The minimum return that investors expect or require in order to invest in an asset, considering its risk.

Dividends Per Share

The portion of a company's earnings distributed to shareholders, divided by the number of outstanding shares.

Flexible Accounting Rules

This refers to accounting principles that allow for some degree of judgement or choice in how financial transactions are recorded and reported, providing flexibility in financial reporting.